CHAP. XLI. V. 1. Seventh , &c.] months after the temple was destroyed. ( Marg . Ref . a. 39:2.) The fast in the seventh month was observed in remembrance of the murder of Gedaliah. (Note, Zech . 7:2,3.)
Princes.] 'Some of the chief officers of state 'belonging to Zedekiah. (36:12,21.38:4.) These 'brought a great number of others with them as their retinue; or else they could not have 'made such a destruction as they did. (3)' Lowth. These "princes of the king" might join Ishmael, from hatred to the Chaldeans, as well as envy of Gedaliah.- Seed - royal .] Marg . Ref . e, f.- Note , 40:13-16.
V.2, 3. Gedaliah was doubtless very imprudent in taking no precaution against a person, whom he had great reason to suspect, both as a rival, and on account of the warning which Johanan had given him: yet his unsuspecting generosity aggravated the baseness of Ishmael's conduct. Indeed the other captains, if they had not been infatuated, either by envy, resentment, or a selfish regard to their private affairs; would have been more careful, in defending a life, on which the safety of the whole company so greatly depended.
Ishmael, by coming to Gedaliah, had virtually submitted to his authority, and claimed his protection: and he was at this time, along with his friends, hospitably entertained by Gedaliah.-Yet he slew 'all that joined with Gedaliah in opposing 'him: for several of the commanders, as well as 'the greatest part of the people, were still left 'alive, as it appears by the sequel. (10,11.)' Lowth.
Most of these, however, seem to have been absent from Mizpah, at this time, gathering in the fruits of the earth, or attending to their private concerns: ( Note , 40:7-12.) so that probably all present, who stood out in resistance, were slain, and the rest kept in close confinement, that the transaction might be
shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves; with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.
6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.
7 And it was so , when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah P slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.
8 But ten men were found among them, that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not; for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.
9 Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it
concealed, till Ishmael had completed his designs.
V. 4-8. The care, which had been taken to conceal the murder of Gedaliah and his adherents, gave Ishmael an opportunity of still further increasing thember and atrocity of his crimes. The places, here mentioned, had belonged to the kingdom of Israel: ( Marg . Ref . k-m.) but they were not far from Mizpal; and it is probable, that these men were Jews, who had resorted to Gedaliah, and, confiding in his protection, had fixed their residence in different places, in order to gather in the fruits of the earth.
They expressed their grief for the calamities of the nation, by some observances which were forbidden in the law, on funeral occasions; ( Marg . Ref . n, o.- Note , 16:5-7.) but were customary, and perhaps counted allowable in seasons of public calamity.
Some think, that Gedaliah, after the destruction of the temple, had erected an altar, and appointed a temporary place of worship at Mizpah, to which they purposed to carry their offerings: but it is more likely, that they meant to shew their regard to the ruins of the temple, and there to offer their oblations, as well as the circumstances would admit.
The hypocrisy of Ishmael, in pretending to sympathize in their sorrows, and inviting them to see Gedaliah; and then murdering a company of men who gave him no provocation, without sparing any but those who appealed to his avarice; when added to his other crimes, constituted a complication of atrocious wickedness, which has scarcely ever been exceeded.-Perhaps he hoped at first to win them over to his party: but perceiving their attachment to Gedaliah, he thus wreaked his vengeance on them.
Treasures in the field . (8) Hidden stores , which could not be found, except by their discovering them. These they would deliver to him, as the ransom of their lives. ( Notes , Job
which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.
14 So all the people, that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah, cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.
15 But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah bescaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites. 16 Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the peo
10 Then Ishmael carried away captive tall the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Netha-ple, whom he had recovered from Ishmael
niah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.
11 But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done;
the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, (after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam,) d even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:
17 And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by
12 Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Neth-Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt, aniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.
13 Now it came to pass, that when all the people, which were with Ishmael, saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.
for
18 Because of the Chaldeans: they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, i whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
b 1 Sam. 30:17. 1 Kings 20:20. | f 42:14,19. 43:7. Is. 30:2,3. Job 21:30. Prov. 28:17. Ec.
8:11,12. Acts 28:4.
c 2. 2 Kings 25:25.
z Gen. 14:14-16. 1 Sam. 30:1d 10. 42:8. 43:4-7.
-8,18-20.
a 2 Sam. 2:13.
2:4,5. Prov. 13:8. Matt . 16:24-28. Phil . 3:811.)
V. 9. Asa fortified Mizpah: and in doing this, he doubtless made trenches as well as ramparts: but perhaps this pit was a hiding place, which he prepared for security, in case Baasha should suddenly assault him. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , Judg . 6:2,3. 1 Sam . 13: 6,7. 1 Kings 15:16--22.)--'A reservoir; a large 'pit for receiving rain water, which Asa caused 'to be made in the midst of the city, in order 'that he might not be in want of so necessary 'an article in case of a siege.' Blayney .
V. 10. Perhaps Ishmael had at first hoped that the Jews would join him; and that, by the help of the king of Ammon, he should be able to make a stand against the Chaldeans, who had withdrawn most of their forces from that neighborhood. But he now despaired of success in that way; and proceeded to carry the whole unarmed multitude captive into the land of Ammon. Among them, it seems there were some daughters of king Zedekiah, who had been left to the care of Gedaliah, when his sons were slain; and these, being recovered from Ishmael by Johanan, went down with him into Egypt, and seem to have died there with the other Jews. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 22: 28-30. 43:4-7.)
V. 11-15. Johanan seems to have been employed at a distance from Gedaliah; so that it was some time before he heard tidings of these tragical events. But when he was informed of them, he immediately pursued Ishmael, who had not courage to face him; and being deserted, instead of apprehended by those, whom he had detained as prisoners, he escaped the avenging sword of Johanan.-Íshmael came to Gedaliah with ten men, who are
e 2 Sam. 19:37,38.
g 42:11,16. 43:2,3. 2 Kings 25. 25. Is. 30:16,17. 51:12,13.57: 11. Luke 12:4,5.
h See on 2. i 40:5.
supposed to have been princes of Judah, with their retinues: but he fled with only eight men. Perhaps the others had before left him, or had lost their lives in these bloody transactions: and, if they had retainers, these might think it safer to join Johanan, than to accompany Ishmael in his flight. ( Marg . Ref .)
V. 16-18. Johanan had hitherto acted properly; and it was right that he should assume the command, till the king of Babylon had been inforined of these transactions. He and the other princes, having taken a decided part against Ishmael, had no sufficient reason to fear, lest the Chaldeans would revenge on them the murder of Gedaliah. ( Notes , 42:1017.)-Perhaps Johanan was unwilling to be superseded in the command; and so used his influence to induce the whole company to take refuge in Egypt; and their old attachment to the Egyptians rendered them the more ready to concur in this ruinous measure. - "The habitation of Chimham" seems to have been a residence and estate, which David had settled on Chimham the son of Barzillai, out of his own patrimony. (Note, 2 Sam. 19:31-39.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. When God is provoked to leave men to themselves, and to the temptations of Satan, they are hurried on into every kind of wickedness; their impetuous passions burst through all restraints, and misery and destruction attend their ways. While divine judgments are executing on guilty nations, the best men are often first cut off, for the punishment of the survivors. ( Notes , 2 Kings 23:26-33. Is . 57:1,2.) — Candor and generosity frequently expose men to the base designs of those wretches, who are of "their father the devil," and who closely
HEN all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people , from the least even unto the greatest, d came near,
5 Then they said to Jeremiah, 1 The LORD be a true and faithful witness be
2 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication between us, if we do not even according
accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us;)
3 That the LORD thy God & may shew a See on 3. 40:13. 41:16. 43:4,5. e 21:2. 37:3. Ex. 8:28. 9:28. 1
b2 Kings 25:23. Ez. 8:11. 11:1. Jaazaniah.
c 8. 5:4,5. 6:13. 8:10. 44:12. Acts 8-10.
d 20. Is. 29:13. 48:1. 58:1,2. Ez. 14:3,4. 20:1-3. 33:31. Matt. 15:8.
* Heb. fall before. 86:7. 37: 20. margins.
copy
Sam. 7:8. 12:19,23. 1 Kings
13:6. Acts 8:24.
f Lev. 26:22. Deut. 4:27. 28: 62. Is. 1:9. Ez. 5:3,4. 12:16. Zech. 13:8,9. Matt. 24:22. g 6:16. 1 Kings 8:36. Ezra 8:21. Ps. 25:4,5, 27:11. 86:11. 143:8-10. Prov. 3:6. Is. 2:3. Mic. 4:2. Mark 12:13,14.
der. ( Notes and P. O. John 8:37his example of subtlety, malice, and mur 8:37-47.) They, who hate the worshippers of God, can assume the appearance of piety and love, that they may better accomplish their purposes: and the thirst for blood, like other depraved appetites, becomes more insatiable by every gratification; until men delight in murder for its own sake. -It is well for mankind, that one selfish passion very often restrains another, in the conduct of the multitudes who are not influenced by a better motive. Thus avarice checks the progress of cruelty; ambition and pride that of licentiousness; the love of licentious pleasures, that of avarice, ambition, and revenge; and the fear of consequences, restrains all the other selfish passions. By these and similar means,
to all things, for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.
6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.
h Ex. 8:29. 1 Sam. 12:23. Rom. 10:1.
i 23:28. 1 Kings 22:14-16. 2 Chr. 18:13-15. Ez. 2:7, k 1 Sam. 3:17,18. Ps. 40:10. Acts 20:20,27.
15:2. Gen. 31:50. Judg 11: 10. 1 Sam. 12:5. 20:42. Mic.
1:2. Mal. 2:14. 3:5. Rom. 1: 9. Rev. 1:5. 3:14.
m Ex. 20:19. Deut. 5:27-29. n Rom. 7:7,13. 8:7.
o See on 7:23. Deut. 5:29,33 6:2,3. Ps. 81:13-16. 128:2. Is. 3:10.
another, who is rash, turbulent, and enterprising, may affect the condition of great multitudes: so entirely do we in every thing depend on the providence of God! When men's hearts are fixed on worldly projects and connexions, they will soon pretend or fancy some motive or reason for following their inclinations: and if the fear of man sometimes restrains from evil, it more frequently leads to rebellion and impiety. But they only are happy and steady, "who fear the LORD, and walk in his ways."
NOTES.